Tuesday, 4 a.m.
There for a while, things were going fairly well for the Tampa Bay Rays.
They were on a winning streak. They were in first place. The bullpen even seemed to be doing better after the early season forest fires.
Lately, things have grown dark once more.
The Rays lost their third game in four outings Monday, bowing 6-1 to the Cincinatti Reds at Tropiana Field. The Rays managed just six hits son the night and didn't score after the first inning.
Tampa Bay had a bit of a threat in the first inning after falling behind 2-0 on a home run by Sal Stewart. Their first four batters reached on singles by Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminor and walks to Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz (who collected the RBI.
After that, nothing. Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullilns both struck out looking and Nike Fortes grounded out.
The Rays managed only four hits after that. They were 0-7 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
Jesse Scholtens started for the Rays and gave up five earned runs in 5 2/3 inning.
Simpson had two hits for the Rays.
The Rays and Reds return to the Trop tonight at 6:40 p.m. Steven Matz will start for the Rays against Chase Burns.